Jawad Ahmad in UK to raise funds for his charity

Noted Pakistani pop singer Jawad Ahmad said education was key to the progress and prosperity of his country and his charity organisation was contributing in its own small way to spreading literacy among the rural children. Speaking at a news conference here last night, he spoke at length on the education problems facing Pakistan and said some 25 million children remain without access to any kind of education facilities.

“Unless we start imparting basic education to these unfortunate children and make them responsible citizens, we cannot visualize any hope of achieving progress.”

Jawad is on a five-day visit to UK to raise funds for his charity “Taaleem for All” which has established 10 non-formal schools around the rural areas of Lahore and is seeking financial support to add four more to provide poor and needy children free education.

During his stay in Britain, the popular singer will do live appeals on the ethnic TV channels on Friday and Saturday.

The singer said the ultimate objective of his charity is to establish non-formal schools in the all districts of Punjab and other provinces as well. He further said some 400 boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 5 years are presently enrolled in these schools and who are being taught by trained teachers in the Government approved syllabus.

Jawad who is an engineer by profession, noted that uneducated children cannot serve the country and rather remains a burden on the society while their energies are wasted on useless pursuits and they also fall victims to extremists elements.

Speaking about the expenditure incurring on these schools, he said some US $ 10,000 was being spend on each school over a period of five years which include teachers salaries and the provision of furniture, stationery, books and other items.

Jawad also said his mission is to get these student to a level they deserve, which includes their future responsibility of further education uptil the university level.

He further said that any country’s basic long term need is to provide education to its citizens in order to overcome difficulties and challenges. About his organisation, he said it is completely independent and has no government support and that he has come to UK for his charity appeal for the first time.

Jawad announced that his new audio album comprising ten songs is being released in November this year simultaneously in Pakistan, India, Middle East and UK.

Ejaz Ansari, UK Chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, was also present on the occasion.